CRYSTAL FALLS — A steal by Bree Arsenault saved the North Central girls here Friday night as they squeezed past the Forest Park Trojans 44-43 in a Skyline Central Conference basketball game.

“They called a timeout with 4.7 seconds left and had a designed play,” said Jets coach Lee Vincent. “We put (Nevaeh) Hundsrucker on Mercedes Simmons because she’s one of our taller players and it ended up well. Bree read the play well and Chloe Webber hit some big shots for us.”

Andie Arsenault, who drained five 3-point shots, scored 23 points and Bree Arsenault added 10 for the Jets (7-3 overall, 7-2 SCC), who led 18-17 at halftime.

Simmons paced the Trojans (4-7 overall, 3-6 league) with 18 points. Gracie Peterson hit 13 and Lea LaChapelle had 12.

“We tried to screen Simmons, but she has such long arms and is a very talented player,” said Vincent. “We didn’t expect the outside shooting from Peterson and LaChapelle. They weren’t hitting the outside shots the first time we played them (in a 53-30 season-opening victory at Powers). They kind of surprised us this time.”

The Jets, who also won the JV game 32-25, visit Carney-Nadeau Monday. The Trojans visit Laona-Wabeno Tuesday.

N. Central 10 8 10 16 — 44

F. Park 5 12 8 18 — 43

North Central — Webber 5, Fleetwood 6, B. Arsenault 10, A. Arsenault 23. FT: 2-3; F: 15; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: A. Arsenault 5, B. Arsenault 2, Webber.

Forest Park — LaChapelle 12, Simmons 18, G. Peterson 13. FT: 4-9; F: 8; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: LaChapelle 4, Simmons.